Stabilizing device mount and method

ABSTRACT

A device mount for a weapon with a stabilizing function is provided. In one embodiment, the device mount includes a device bracket, a stabilizing tube and at least one stabilizing member. The device bracket has a support plate and a side plate that extends generally at a right angle from the support plate. The stabilizing tube is movably coupled to the side plate. The at least one stabilizing member is received in the stabilizing tube. Moreover, the at least one stabilizing member is configured to stabilize motion of the device bracket.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a divisional of patent application Ser. No.11/550,127 filed Oct. 17, 2006 and titled Device Mount with StabilizingFunction.

BACKGROUND

For game hunters the ability to record the hunt in an efficient manneris desired. Moreover, the ability to attach other devices such asrangefinders and other electronic device to the weapon in a manner thatdoes not impede the hunt is also desired. For the reasons stated aboveand for other reasons stated below which will become apparent to thoseskilled in the art upon reading and understanding the presentspecification, there is a need in the art for a mount that can attach adevice such an electronic device to a weapon in an effective andun-intrusive manner and provide stabilizing functions to aid thefunction of the devices.

SUMMARY

The above-mentioned problems of current systems are addressed byembodiments of the present invention and will be understood by readingand studying the following specification. The following summaries areprovided as way of examples and not by way of limitation. Moreover, thesummaries may include more or less elements than are in the claims andare merely provided to give the reader a basic understanding of some ofthe elements of the present invention.

In one embodiment, a device mount is provided. The device mount includesa device bracket, a stabilizing tube and at least one stabilizingmember. The device bracket has a support plate and a side plate thatextends generally at a right angle from the support plate. Thestabilizing tube is movably coupled to the side plate. The at least onestabilizing member is received in the stabilizing tube. Moreover, the atleast one stabilizing member is configured to stabilize motion of thedevice bracket.

In another embodiment, another device mount is provided. This devicemount includes a device bracket, a stabilizing container, at least onestabilizer and a first mounting rail. The device is used to hold adevice. The stabilizing container is coupled to the device bracket. Theat least one stabilizer is received in the stabilizing container. Thestabilizer is configured to stabilize movement of the device bracket.The first mounting rail is coupled to the stabilizing container. Themounting rail is selectively coupled to a scope ring to connect thedevice mount to a weapon.

In yet another embodiment, a device mount is provided. The device mountincludes a device bracket, a stabilizing tube, a first and second springand a first and second cap. The device bracket includes a support plate,a side plate and a bias portion. The support plate is configured to holda device thereto. The side plate has a first end that extends from anend of the support plate at a given angle. The bias portion of thedevice bracket extends from a second end of the side plate. Thestabilizing tube has a receiving aperture configured to slidably receivethe bias portion of the device bracket. The first and second springs arereceived in the stabilizing tube in such a manner that the bias portionof the device bracket is positioned between the first and secondsprings. The first cap is used to retain the first spring in thestabilizing tube and the second cap is used to retain the second springin the stabilizing tube.

In finally another embodiment, a method of using a device mount for aweapon is provided. The method comprises coupling a first mounting railattached to a stabilizing container to a weapon, the stabilizercontaining one or more stabilizers and coupling a first device to adevice bracket that is movably coupled to the stabilizing container. Thefunctional integrity of the device is maintained by the one or morestabilizers in the stabilizing container during a discharge of theweapon.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention can be more easily understood and furtheradvantages and uses thereof more readily apparent, when considered inview of the detailed description and the following figures in which:

FIG. 1 is a cut away back view of a device mount of one embodiment ofthe present invention;

FIG. 2 is a side view of the device mount of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a side view of a device bracket of one embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 4 is a top view of the device bracket of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a top view of a stabilizing tube of one embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 6 is an end view of the stabilizing tube of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a side view of the stabilizing tube of FIG. 5;

FIG. 8 is a side view of a spring cap of one embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 9 is a end view of the spring cap of FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a side perspective view of another embodiment of a devicemount of the present invention;

FIG. 11 is a side view of a laser designator being mounted to a secondmounting rail of a device mount of one embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 12 is a side view of a flashlight being mounted to a secondmounting rail of a device mount of one embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 13 is a side view of a rangefinder being mounted to a secondmounting rail of a device mount of one embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 14 is a side view of a lipstick camera being mounted to a secondmounting rail of a device mount of one embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 15 is a side perspective view of yet another embodiment of a devicemount of the present invention; and

FIG. 16 is a side perspective view of a device mount of one embodimentof the present having two device mounted thereto.

In accordance with common practice, the various described features arenot drawn to scale but are drawn to emphasize specific features relevantto the present invention. Reference characters denote like elementsthroughout Figures and text.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following detailed description, reference is made to theaccompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, and in which is shownby way of illustration specific embodiments in which the inventions maybe practiced. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail toenable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, and it is tobe understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that logical,mechanical and electrical changes may be made without departing from thespirit and scope of the present invention. The following detaileddescription is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense, and thescope of the present invention is defined only by the claims andequivalents thereof.

Embodiments of the present invention provide a device mount withstabilization features that help devices coupled to the device mountfunction properly. In embodiments of the present invention, astabilizing member such as a pair of springs is used to dampen theeffects of a sudden movement of a hunting weapon. Such movement mayarise because of recoil produced in response to the firing of a rifle orshotgun or the movement in response to the release of an arrow from abow or crossbow. Embodiments of the present invention maintain thefunctional integrity of devices mounted to the device mount during suchmovements.

FIG. 1 illustrates a cut away back view of a device mount 100 of oneembodiment of the present invention. As illustrated, the device mount100 includes a stabilizing container 104 and a device bracket 102. Thestabilizing container 104 is a stabilizing tube 104 in the embodiment ofFIG. 1. In other embodiments other shapes are used for the stabilizingcontainer 104. In the stabilizing tube 104, a pair of stabilizingmembers 108A and 108B are received. In the embodiment illustrated inFIG. 1, the stabilizing members 108A and 108B are a pair of springs 108Aand 108B. In other embodiments, other types of stabilizing members areused. As illustrated in FIG. 1, spring 108A is positioned between cap110A and a first engaging surface 111 of a bias portion 112 of thedevice bracket 102. Spring 108B is positioned between cap 110B and asecond engaging surface 113 of the bias portion 112 of the devicebracket 102. Also included in this embodiment is a holding rod 130. Theholding rod 130 holds the springs 108A and 108B in place. Alsoillustrated in FIG. 1 is a mounting rail 106. The mounting rail 106selectively engages a scope ring (not shown) which attaches the mount toa weapon such as a rifle, shotgun, bow, crossbow and the like. In oneembodiment, the mounting rail is commercially available rail, such as aweaver mounting rail known in the industry. FIG. 2, illustrates a sideview of the device mount 100 that includes the stabilizing tube 104 andthe device bracket 102. As this view illustrates, the device bracket 102includes a support plate 202 that extends from the side plate 204. Inthis embodiment, the support plate 202 extends generally at a rightangle from the side plate 204. The support plate 202 is designed toengage a device such as a video camera, rangefinder, game caller and thelike.

Referring to FIG. 3, a side view of a device bracket 102 of oneembodiment of the present invention is illustrated. As illustrated thedevice bracket 102 includes the support plate 202, the side plate 204and the bias portion 112. The bias portion 112 is received in thestabilizing tube 104 as illustrated in FIG. 1. As illustrated, the biasportion 112 includes a rod aperture 302. The holding rod 130 is receivedin the rod aperture 302. Moreover, in the embodiment of FIG. 3, a brasssleeve 303 lines the rod aperture 302 to reduce friction between theholding rod 103 and the rod aperture 302. Hence in this embodiment, thefriction reducing sleeve 303 allows the holding rod 130 to slide throughthe rod aperture 302 in a relatively smooth manner. FIG. 4 illustrates atop view of the device bracket 102. As illustrated, the bias portion 112includes a first and second engaging surfaces 111 and 113 respectfully.The engaging surfaces 111 and 113 are designed to engage an end of arespective spring 108A and 108B as illustrated in FIG. 1. FIG. 4 alsoillustrates a plurality of attaching apertures 402 that extend throughthe support plate 202. The attaching apertures 402 are used to attach adevice to the device mount 100.

FIG. 5 is a top view of a stabilizing tube 104 of one embodiment of thepresent invention. As illustrated, a mounting rail 106 is attached tothe stabilizing tube 104. As discussed above, the mounting rail 106 isused to connect the device mount 100 to a weapon via scope ring. Alsoillustrated in this view is a pair of engaging apertures 702A and 702B.The engaging apertures 702A and 702B are used to secure a respective cap110A and 110B in place as illustrated in FIG. 1. In particular, aholding member 120A or 120B is passed through the respective engagingaperture 702A or 702B to hold the respective spring cap 110A and 110B inplace. In one embodiment, the engaging apertures 702A and 702B areinternally threaded and the holding members 120A and 102B are externallythreaded set screws. The external threads on the set screws in thisembodiment are designed to engage the internal threads of the engagingapertures 602A and 702B.

An end view of the stabilizing tube 104 is illustrated in FIG. 6. Asillustrated, the stabilizing tube 104 has the mounting rail 106. Alsoillustrated in FIG. 6, is a receiving aperture 602. The receivingaperture 602 is designed to receive the bias portion 112 of the devicebracket 102 as illustrated in FIG. 1. FIG. 7 is a side view of thestabilizing tube 105 illustrating the rail mount as well as the engagingapertures 702A and 702B.

Referring to FIG. 8, a side view of a cap 110 of one embodiment of thepresent invention is provided. Cap 110 is either cap 110A or 110B ofFIG. 1. The cap 110 includes an engaging end that is designed to engagean end of a stabilizing member as illustrated in relating to 110A and110B of FIG. 1. The cap 110 further includes an engaging recess 806. Theengaging recess 806 is designed to receive a respective holding member120A and 120B to lock the cap 110 in place as illustrated in FIG. 1. Thecap 110 further has an end portion 804 that is illustrated in FIG. 9.

FIG. 10 illustrates another embodiment of a device mount 1000 with astabilizing feature of the present invention. This embodiment includestwo mounting rails 106 and 1002. Mounting rail 106 is used as discussedabove to couple the mounting rail to a hunting weapon. The secondmounting rail 1002 is used to attach a second device to the mount.Hence, with this embodiment of the device mount 1000, two devices can bemounted to the weapon, one on the support plate 202 and one on thesecond mounting rail 1002. As example of a device being mounted on thesecond mounting rail 1002 is illustrated in FIG. 11. In FIG. 11, thedevice is a laser designator 1102. A laser designator 1102 projects alaser beam to a target. As illustrated, the laser designator 1102includes a receiving mounting track 1104 that is designed to selectivelyengage the second mounting rail 1002. Another example of a device is aflashlight 1202. The flash light is attached to the mount 102 via deviceconnector 1204 that includes a receiving mounting track 1206 thatselectively engages the second mounting rail 1002. In still anotherembodiment, the device is a rangefinder 1302 that includes a receivingmounting track 1304 that selectively engages the second mounting rail1002 of the device mount 102. This is illustrated in FIG. 13. In yetanother example illustrated in FIG. 14, a lipstick camera 1402 iscoupled to the second mounting rail 1002 via a pair of scope mount rings1406 and 1404.

Referring to FIG. 15, another device mount 1500 of another embodiment isillustrated. In this embodiment, two mounting rails 106 and 1002 areprovided on the stabilizer container 104. Moreover, in his embodiment, astabilizing strap 1502 is used. The stabilizing strap 1502 is designedto stabilize a device on the support plate 202 of the device mountdevice 1500. In one embodiment, the stabilizing strap 202 is made froman elastic material. In the embodiment of FIG. 15, a first end 1506 ofthe stabilizing strap 1502 is coupled to the side plate 204. In otherembodiments, the first end 1506 of the stabilizing strap 1502 is coupledto support plate 202 (not shown). A second end of the stabilizing strap1502 includes a hook 1504 that is designed to be selectively positionedin one of the mounting apertures 402 in the support plate 202 of themount device 1500 to stabilize the device. FIG. 16, illustrates astabilizing strap 1502 stabilizing a device 1604 to the device mount1500. FIG. 16 also illustrates, two devices 1604 and 1302 mounted todevice mount 1500 as well as the device mount 1500 being coupled to ascope 1602 of a weapon. The device mount 1500 is coupled to scope 1692via the first mounting rail 106 and one or scope rings. The seconddevice 1302, a laser designator 1302, is coupled to the second mountingrail 1002. In embodiments of the present invention, the device mount1500 can be mounted on the right or left side of the weapon or scope1602 as illustrated.

Although specific embodiments have been illustrated and describedherein, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the artthat any arrangement, which is calculated to achieve the same purpose,may be substituted for the specific embodiment shown. This applicationis intended to cover any adaptations or variations of the presentinvention. Therefore, it is manifestly intended that this invention belimited only by the claims and the equivalents thereof.

1. A device mount comprising: a device bracket for holding a device; astabilizing container coupled to the device bracket; at least onestabilizing member received in the stabilizing container, thestabilizing member for stabilizing movement of the device bracket; and afirst mounting rail coupled to the stabilizing container, the mountingrail for attaching the device mount to a weapon.
 2. The device mount ofclaim 1, wherein the device bracket further comprises: a support portionfor supporting a device thereon; a side portion having a first endextending from the support portion at generally a right angle; and abias portion extending from a second end of the side portion, the biasportion slidably received in the stabilizing container.
 3. The devicemount of claim 1, further comprising: a second mounting rail coupled tothe stabilizing container, the second mounting rail for receiving adevice mounting track.
 4. The device mount of claim 3, wherein thesecond mounting rail is an industry standard weaver mounting rail. 5.The device mount of claim 1, wherein the stabilizing container furthercomprises: at least one internally threaded engaging aperture.
 6. Thedevice mount of claim 5, further comprising: at least one cap, a portionof the cap received in the stabilizing container, wherein the at leastone cap holds the at least one stabilizing member in place.
 7. Thedevice mount of claim 6, further comprising: a holding member havingexternal threads for engaging the internal threads of the engagingaperture thereby securing the at least one portion of the cap in thestabilizing container.
 8. The device mount of claim 1, wherein the firstmounting rail attaches the device mount to one of a left side and aright side of the weapon.
 9. A device mount comprising: a device supportfor supporting a device thereon; a stabilizing system attached to thedevice support, the stabilizing system for dampening movement of thedevice support; and a mounting system attached to the stabilizingsystem, the mounting system for attaching the device support to aweapon.
 10. The device mount of claim 9, wherein the stabilizing systemfurther comprises: a stabilizing container attached to the devicesupport; at least one stabilizing member received in the stabilizingcontainer;
 11. The device mount of claim 10, wherein the stabilizingcontainer is a tube and the at least one stabilizing member is a spring.12. The device mount of claim 11, wherein the stabilizing containerfurther comprises: at least one cap, a portion of the cap received inthe tube, wherein the at least one cap holds the at least one spring inplace.
 13. The device mount of claim 9, wherein the device supportfurther comprises: a support portion for supporting the device thereon;and a side portion having a first end extending from the support portionat generally a right angle.
 14. The device mount of claim 13, whereinthe device support further comprises: a bias portion extending from asecond end of the side portion, the bias portion slidably received intothe stabilizing system.
 15. The device mount of claim 13, wherein thedevice support further comprises: a support strap removably attached tothe support portion for securing the device thereto.
 16. The devicemount of claim 9, wherein the mounting system further comprises: a firstmounting rail attached to stabilizing system for attaching the devicesupport to the weapon.
 17. The device mount of claim 16, furthercomprising: a second mounting rail for receiving a device mountingtrack.
 18. A method comprising: coupling a first mounting rail attachedto a stabilizing container to a weapon, the stabilizer container havingone or more stabilizing members; and coupling a first device to a devicebracket that is movably coupled to the stabilizing container, whereinfunctional integrity of the device is maintained by the one or morestabilizing members of the stabilizing container during a movement ofthe weapon.
 19. The method of claim 18, wherein coupling the firstmounting rail to a weapon further comprises: engaging a scope ringattached to the weapon with the first mounting rail.
 20. The method ofclaim 18, further comprising: coupling a second device to a secondmounting rail attached to the stabilizing container.